12th May 2019

Mothers day, Sunday. What an amazing day.
After we had breakfast, Bob tells us he has decided what we are going to do for the day,  go up the mountain.  This is a great idea. So we make  our way to where the gondolas are.  Tom mentioned yesterday that he would love to snow board on the mountain. As you can predict, Bob tells Tom that he will shout him the hire and ticket to do this.   Tom is very excited by this,  and goes to the hire shop to suit up, then on we go to the gonola. At this point,  I start to freak out a little. It's really really high at the top of the mountain and I am not good with heights. But I must do this,  how could I not go up whistler mountain. We board up, and start our journey up. It is so quiet, and I have been on one of these things before,  in Vietnam. It's amazing seeing the snow on the ground, and the tall pine trees. Up at the top, we unload from the ride, and take in the views. They are absolutely incredible. Mountains all the way around,  with snow on top.  It's not as cold as I imagined it to be, and I am made to go and touch the snow, ( I even made a tiny snow ball ). Bob and I are the odd ones out.  Both wearing our Akubras and me in my Ariats. We are definitely not skiing. People are wearing snow boots or snow boarding boots,  all rugged up. Tom goes of to have a few hours of fun. We go inside and seek out the viewing deck. Wow, wow wow. Amazing, overwhelming. I am in awe, and blown away by where I am at this very moment. Bob and I spend time here having a bite to eat and wait for Tom.
We go back down the mountain, I do some washing and rest for the afternoon.

10th May 2019

FRIDAY,  we caught the 22 bus into downtown Vancouver, have a spot of breakfast,  change some currency, and make our way to where we have been catching the Hop on Hop of buses.  At the usual place where we have been catching the bus,  there is much congestion,  and even police directing the traffic and pedestrians. All due to the huge criuse ship that has docked in the harbour, the Ruby Princess.  We have decided to do a couple of things from the tours. So we head to the new locating of where to board the hop on hop off bus.  First was the electric  boat tour. Our captain on the little boat was a very knowledgeable fellow, with  a good sense of humour. It  was an interesting tour of the bay, and a close up view watching the sea planes take of and land.
Next we go to Stanley Park, and take a walk along the beach to the next point of interest, the Totem poles. Lots of people at this site,  and it was cool to see the Totem poles. We then get the hop on hop off bus to the next point of interest, Prospect point. This was a good place,  we got to get a close up view of the Loins gate Bridge, and then we had ice cream. A single serve was almost the equivelent to 2 serves back home.  It was so yummy.  Then we got back on the bus,  which was a bit warm,  due to it  was not an open one,  and there was no air con, and the window didn't open.  We ride this until out next chosen point of interest,  the steam clock.  An interesting item, which plays a tune on the hour and every quarter hour. 

After we finish looking at this interesting peice, we head back to the bus 22 bus stop and head back to our accommodation. We have had a very full on day.

Saturday, we pack up our room, and set of on our next league, The RENTAL CAR. Oh my, I think we are both a little apprehensive about this,  one,  because every drives on the wrong side of the road,  and  two, the cars steering wheel is on the wrong side. This will be an adventure, and I have already mentioned to Bob before we left Australia, that I will be a difficult passenger, due to the before mentioned issues. So  we finally find the car hire company at the airport and get the keys and find the car.  Let's do this.  I know Bob has driven in Europe before, so it's not that bad,  until he tells me,  he has a habit of going to the right side,  so now I am charged with reminding him calmly, yeh righ,t that's going to happen.  Ok, we are on the road heading out of Vancouver to Squamish and I am now navigator. Thank goodness for technology. Without to many hassles, we find the town of Squamish. This place is a mecca for mountain biking, and all other sorts of outdoor activities. Travelling on to Camp Summit, we find Tom and have a look around were he works. This is a pretty cool place, a camp for school kids. After we leave there, we head up to Whistler, and find our accommodation upon which, is no longer operating. 😢. After some phone calls we find this out.  So into Whistler to find a motel that's not going to cost the earth.  And all is good.  We now have suitable lodgings. It is truly amazing seeing the snow on the mountains. We have a walk though Whistler Village and have some tea. The village is just amazing. People everywhere, all of them happy, smiling and many cultures mingling with each other. Back to the room for a welcome sleep.

9th of May 2019

Prior to our leaving for Canada, found us finishing packing house up. FRIDAY,  travelling to Rockhampton to watch my neice, Hannah, do her formal drive and walk though. And also to last chance to say goodbye to my sister and her family. Try as we both might, with the threat of mascara running, we both got teary. It's hard not to, when you love family and know you won't see them for a long time.
SATURDAY,  back to Old Mill Road to do final cleaning, until Bob said that was enough. We head off to Sam and Marnie and Angus for our last few days in Australia for 11 mths. The little hire car will never be as full as it was when we loaded up everything we had to take. Luggage, esky with the drinks and frozen food from our fridge and freezer, a couple of plants,

 

Sunday was a lovely day, as little Angus celebrated his first Birthday, and was also Baptised aswell. So a big day for him. 

Sleeping in is proving difficult still as the mind is still geared up from everything we have been doing.  I do hope that eventually I can manage to sleep past 5.30.

Monday morning, we  had  a breakfast catch up with one of Bob's mates and his wife, then later in the day to the airport to pick up another one of Bob's friends. We meet up with other friends and spend time with them before we leave the country. Tuessday morning we go  back to Sam and Marnie, for our last night. Starting to get a bit exciting now. 

Wednesday  morning we leave Sam and Marnie and Angus and head to the airport. With 2 large suit cases, and 2 small ones and some other things. Got through customs and Bob realizes he still had hire car keys in his pocket.  Both of us had forgotten to hand therm back,  so  Bob had to go back and sort that one out.  Finally we get to board, and the excitement kicks in as the reality hits. We are actually doing this. We leave on a Wednesday and arrive on Wednesday morning. 

Well here we are in Vancouver, 2nd day here. Yesterday was an extrodinalary long day. Arrived in Vancouver at 6.45 after a 13 hrs flight from Brisbane. We flew Air Canada, and has a good flight. Service and food was excellent. All the concerns of going through customs and baggage handling was misplaced, as I tend to do. After we check into our accommodation and rest for a couple of hours, which was supposed to be an hour,  we catch a bus into downtown Vancouver. One of the things we need to do is get some phone credit.  Mission accomplished, then we walk about,  exploring the area.  Los of eating places seem to be under ground. Checked out the hop on hop off buses, and decided to use them tomorrow.  Went to bed at 8 pm and the sun was still shining. 

Thursday, we used the hop on buses to decide what we want to further explore. There are two loops for the buses,  one a city loop and then the park loop.  Experienced the Tim Horton food, must say, not a huge fan. Still searching for good coffee. After we finished with the buses,  we got the bus back to our accommodation, and rested for a while,  then found something to eat.  It is now 9pm, and still daylight, not sure what time the sun goes to bed.  

What a massive couple of days Bob and I have had. Tuesday saw the removalist arrive and take most of our worldly goods to the storage  container.  Also the ladies arrived to start assisting with cleaning. Thank goodness the weather was kind, and no rain hampered the guys with the furniture and it was not overly hot.
Wednesday was another day of cleaning.
We have sorted out the placement of vehicles in the shed, it took a bit of doing last Friday, with shuffling and moving cars that  don't go.  But mission accomplished.

It's starting to look like we are going somewhere with only  5 days to go till wheels up. The gardens are looking lovely again, with my  chrysanthams putting on a splendid showing.
Friday finds us travelling to Rockhampton to be with family for the day. 

April 27 - 11 days before wheels up. Had a great lunch today with Mike and Shelley J which took our minds off the days to come. Today and tomorrow is relocating cars, mowing and snipping, packing more boxes and trying to figure out what to do next. Tuesday the removalists arrive to move all the furniture and boxes into the storage container.  The cleaners move in to give the place a big go-over, Mark the painter is in Thursday as well we pick up a hire car for the few days we are in Brisbane. Friday is a quick side trip to Rockhampton for a Hanna's formal. Saturday Brisbane at Sam's; Sunday (week) is Angus first birthday and Christening. Monday (week) catching up with some old mates, and I do mean old. Then on to Wednesday (week) for wheels up for Vancouver.

Here we are, the 3rd of April, and I have just two weeks of work left for 12 mths.
Tomorrow starts the saying of hooray to clients i have been working for, for quite sometime. I am hoping I will be able to be strong and not get to emotional when it comes to saying bye. All of them have been very excited and happy for me, although they say the will miss me, and I to will miss them also.

Only 5 weeks now to "Wheels Up". Pressure is building to get things done to ensure a smooth departure. Needing to get house ready for renting. Have to move furniture into storage, clean thoroughly and touch-up paint.
Still awaiting our French Visas but otherwise all paperwork is complete, many bookings made, medicals done, insurances complete, mail redirection - what have we forgot??
International drivers licence,  sporting shooters, landlord insurance, phone plans, internet connection, car registrations, CentreLink, etc etc.